Pa. A.G. Shapiro talks consumer protection in U.D.

UPPER DARBY » State Attorney General Josh Shapiro reiterated Tuesday afternoon that his office is here to help the commonwealth’s citizens from unsavory businesses and scams.

As part of National Consumer Protection Week, the first-term top law enforcer hosted a forum at the Watkins Avenue Senior Center to discuss what people should do when they’re dealing with harassing scam phone calls, deceitful businesses and other areas where their money may be at stake. Local residents shared their tales of how they’ve been bothered by scammers and business owners and how Shapiro has helped them.

“This year in Pennsylvania we had as a result of all of these scams and businesses … we were able to recover for Pennsylvania $19 million,” said Shapiro. “It’s not just getting your money back, but sometimes they’ll try to sell you something that’s broken, or they’ll take your deposit that they never end up delivering on.

“We’ve been able to get people their money back, and seniors in particular have been a big focus of mine.”

Shapiro, a Montgomery County Democrat, said seniors are usually most vulnerable to telephone scams which include debt collectors, IRS collections and a “grandparent” scam where money must be sent to make sure their grandchildren are OK. The type of calls can be threatened and scary to these consumers.

Three residents shared their tales about how they’ve been affected.

Newton Square resident Francis O’Donnell was receiving letters for debt collections, which then carried over to phone calls and calls to his daughter about the supposed debt.

O’Donnell dialed the general’s office for help.

“Within two days of speaking with someone at (Shapiro’s) office I was contacted on the phone, followed up with three or four letters and it was taken care of,” said O’Donnell. “I didn’t do it for political clout; I didn’t do it with an attorney … I did it for myself to make sure I knew the system works, and the system works.

“There’s no rhyme or what (scammers) do.”

Veteran David Hamilton also complimented how the office helped him for something he called “remarkably stupid”.

He fell on hard times and took a loan for $3,000 from Future Income Payments, where he was to pay it back $315 a month for five attorney reason to years, amounting to approximately $19,000 if paid in its entirety.

“I sucked it up for the first couple of years because I did owe the money, but it was paid off the first year,” he said.

Over $7,000 later in payments he decided to get help. He learned that the monthly transactions weren’t debited from his bank account; they were being garnished from his pension.

“It took a few months to stop the bleeding, but it’s been months now (since the payments stopped),” he said. “It’s an example of how government works sometimes and I’m grateful to you and your staff.”

Yves Eliscar, a Haitian immigrant, was duped by a car auction place where he placed $500 for a deposit and the manager saw it as a donation and laughed at him. Shapiro’s office recovered his money as well.

Frustration was evident over people who ignore “do not call” lists and who are “sophisticated” enough to go around bothering other family members.

“They’re scammers, they don’t follow the law. That’s why they’re calling you,” said Shapiro. “These folks who are getting through and calling you they’re really trying to take advantage of you.”

He reiterated that the public should call his office with any concerns about potential scammers or bad businesses.

“When you call, we can help you. When you tell us what you’re seeing out there it helps us stop it from happening to someone else.”

In 2017 the office received almost 80,000 inquiries over the phone and through email and had 22,000 consumer complaints filed.

The attorney general’s Bureau of Consumer Protection can be reached at 800-441-2555 or by email at scams@attorenygneral.gov.